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Summers Saga
Second Chance
"Avalin Summers's life changes forever when she is told her parents may not be dead. " In the romantic suspense novel "Second Chance," Karina Harris weaves an intriguing tale of hope and uncertainty in the story of Avalin Summers, an art student who is fiercely loyal to her older brothers, Jaden and Quinn. When Jaden requests a family meeting at their childhood farm in Colorado, she doesn't question him. But what she discovers is something she hasn't dared to dream about for the past five years. Special Agent Ian Martin has spent a year investigating the case of part-time FBI operatives John and Rosemary Summers and the suspicious conclusion to their last mission. Recent intelligence hints they may not have died in the European plane crash, but he needs the help of the Summerses' grown children, Jaden, Quinn, and twenty-one-year-old Avalin, to find out. At the family meeting, Ian presents evidence that suggests their parents may have escaped capture and fled to Portugal. The siblings' lives are turned upside down when they learn their parents were working as undercover agents. Hoping they are alive, Quinn and Avalin eagerly join Ian in his search. When they land in Lisbon, they are bombarded with even more uncertainties. Thrown together by circumstances fraught with danger, betrayal, and heartache, Ian and Avalin uncover something special in each other. As events unfold, Ian and Avalin begin to question their beliefs in their government, their families, and even God as they look for someone they can trust. Will they find love on their journey together? Will they discover what happened to the Summerses' parents before it's too late? Find out in "Second Chance," a Summers Saga novel.
296 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published February 2, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 5, 2011
Avalin Summers is called home to a farm in Colorado for a family meeting with her two older brothers, Jayden and Quinn. She had always believed that her parents were killed in a plane crash in Europe 5 years ago. Her oldest brother Jayden has just been informed by an FBI agent that it is possible her parents are still alive and living in Portugal. John and Rosemary Summers had been working with the government to find an antidote for a chemical similar to anthrax. The family was never aware of their parent's involvement. Avalin and her other brother Quinn are eager to travel to Lisbon in search of their parents, with Jayden staying behind with his pregnant wife. Agent Ian Martin, who is on personal leave with the FBI, heads up the team. He pursues this old case after the death of his FBI partner, who had a strong suspicion that the couple might still be alive.
The author shows good character development throughout the story. I could imagine other stories in the Summers Saga series about Quinn or the housekeeper, Anna. The back cover of the book describes it as a romantic suspense novel, whereas I would categorize it as christian romance. The first half of the book plods along rather unremarkably without much suspense. It dwelled too much on everyday happenings that had no bearing to the story's plot, such as noting every time each person showered each day or what they ate for each meal. However, the second half of the book picked up in both suspense and action with some unexpected turns.
The author shows good character development throughout the story. I could imagine other stories in the Summers Saga series about Quinn or the housekeeper, Anna. The back cover of the book describes it as a romantic suspense novel, whereas I would categorize it as christian romance. The first half of the book plods along rather unremarkably without much suspense. It dwelled too much on everyday happenings that had no bearing to the story's plot, such as noting every time each person showered each day or what they ate for each meal. However, the second half of the book picked up in both suspense and action with some unexpected turns.
February 25, 2010
I was surprised by this book from a local author. Don't know if it was privately published or not. The author seems to be a pretty good story teller. The book was immediately engaging, pretty fast paced, and had a fairly good plot with a romantic subplot. Weaknesses included too many "good guys" in a world of international intrigue and too goody-goody in general. Too, I was confused: what genre is this? I thought it was a mystery but then the romance took over; however, by the time the book ended, it was Christian fiction--who knows? My biggest problem, however, was the portrayal of the FBI agent Ian. This seemed obviously written by a woman because his "voice" certainly wasn't believable, especially when he called Avalin "sweetheart" or "my angel," definitely too idealized, too perfect, too romanticized. Also, maybe I missed something, but I couldn't figure out why the FBI, rather than CIA, would be involved in an international problem.
August 3, 2010
Let me start by saying that you should NOT judge this book by its cover (old cliche, I know, but you know you judge!). While the outside might seem simple, the story contained within is full of suspense, action, mystery, and romance.
Avalin Summers and her siblings are led to believe that their parents were killed in a plane crash five years ago. That all changes one day when gorgeous FBI agent Ian Martin shows up on their doorstep one day and tells them that their parents may in fact still be alive. Ian leads Avalin and her brother Quinn to Portugal in order to track down their missing parents. Avalin not only finds herself in a lot of trouble with the enemy, but also falling deeply in love with the man who may change her life in more ways than she could ever imagine.
This is a page turner you won’t want to put down. People young and old will find themselves being pulled into this complex story that Harris has weaved for us. I for one can’t wait for the next book!
Avalin Summers and her siblings are led to believe that their parents were killed in a plane crash five years ago. That all changes one day when gorgeous FBI agent Ian Martin shows up on their doorstep one day and tells them that their parents may in fact still be alive. Ian leads Avalin and her brother Quinn to Portugal in order to track down their missing parents. Avalin not only finds herself in a lot of trouble with the enemy, but also falling deeply in love with the man who may change her life in more ways than she could ever imagine.
This is a page turner you won’t want to put down. People young and old will find themselves being pulled into this complex story that Harris has weaved for us. I for one can’t wait for the next book!
July 19, 2012
Second Chance is an exciting, interesting read for fans of romantic suspense.
Author, Karina Harris, beckons her readers to jump right into the complicated life of Avalin Summers on the very first page. As the story begins, Avalin and her brothers are trying to adjust and grieve the unexpected loss of their parents when they receive word that their parents may actually still be alive.
As the siblings begin to process the news that their parents may have had connections to spy activities, they also learn that they themselves, could be in danger from the information their parents had access to.
In the midst of all the confusion and chaos, Avalin finds herself dealing with feelings of attraction to Ian, the Special Agent assigned to her family’s case. As this adventure unfolds, readers are taken on an exciting journey to a foreign land filled with suspense and romance.
Author, Karina Harris, beckons her readers to jump right into the complicated life of Avalin Summers on the very first page. As the story begins, Avalin and her brothers are trying to adjust and grieve the unexpected loss of their parents when they receive word that their parents may actually still be alive.
As the siblings begin to process the news that their parents may have had connections to spy activities, they also learn that they themselves, could be in danger from the information their parents had access to.
In the midst of all the confusion and chaos, Avalin finds herself dealing with feelings of attraction to Ian, the Special Agent assigned to her family’s case. As this adventure unfolds, readers are taken on an exciting journey to a foreign land filled with suspense and romance.
March 4, 2011
Second Chance is a romantic suspense novel ,a compelling story of love and intrigue which is pretty fast paced, The story has a fairly good plot that kept me interested to the very last page of the book. Like several other readers have mentioned the story seems to dwell in the romance category more than the suspense or mystery category's. Over all the book was a good read.
August 25, 2011
It was a romantic suspense novel weaving an intriguing tale of hope and uncertainity. The development of all the characters made the story interesting. The characters are thrown together by circumstances fraught with danger, betrayal and heartache.
March 5, 2010
Second Chance is a romantic suspense novel that follows Avalin Summers and FBI Agent Ian Martin as they try to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of Summers' parents, who were known to have been killed in a plane crash five years before. Summers and Martin travel to Portugal with Avalin's brother Quinn to find answers. As the truth unfolds, and a conspiracy is uncovered, so does a high-risk romance between Avalin and Ian.
I have never had much insterest in romance novels, and while there is a craft to it, it feels like they really would go page after page without furthering any specific plot. I didn't feel that to be true in Second Chance. There was enough character detail and action in between the looks and the smiles to keep me reading--I honestly really couldn't put it down. Don't get me wrong, there were a few moments that I didn't feel like I should've been in the room with them, but she wrote the parts so well, each character really came alive.
It was an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to the continuation of the Summers Saga.
I have never had much insterest in romance novels, and while there is a craft to it, it feels like they really would go page after page without furthering any specific plot. I didn't feel that to be true in Second Chance. There was enough character detail and action in between the looks and the smiles to keep me reading--I honestly really couldn't put it down. Don't get me wrong, there were a few moments that I didn't feel like I should've been in the room with them, but she wrote the parts so well, each character really came alive.
It was an enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to the continuation of the Summers Saga.
November 8, 2010
Karin Harris spins a romantic thread throughout her saga of double agents and espionage. In Second Chance, the parents of the Summers Family have been missing, presumed dead for five long years. Then Ian Martin shows up with a completely different scenario. Hope is restored and a search ensues. Avalin and her brother step into a dangerous new world where they are never sure who they can trust or what lurks around the corner.
Karina writes with exquisite detail that carries the reader along as though they are a part of the unfolding story, witnessing it first hand. I quite enjoyed the journey.
Karina writes with exquisite detail that carries the reader along as though they are a part of the unfolding story, witnessing it first hand. I quite enjoyed the journey.
March 23, 2013
Karina Harris is an amazing writer who keeps you wanting more. Second Chance is an interesting book that you won't be able to put down! The intense stories and the "on your toes" feeling with keep you wanting more. The love story within the mistery to find out more about the Summers' lost family will bring you back for more. I am proud to know Karina as a personal friend to my mom and a wonderful expiring author!
August 8, 2010
Harris writes a compelling story of love and intrigue in Second Chance. I enjoyed following the story of Avalin and Ian and their budding romance as they travel the world searching for clues to the past. I questioned the publishers decision to list this as suspense as the majority of the story seems to dwell in the romance category. If you love a good romance then do not miss Second Chance.
Want to Read
February 23, 2011This looks like it will be a great book to read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews